Christmas is the most important Christian holiday celebrated in Finland. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. The main event is Christmas Eve, 24 December. It is customary to bring home a Christmas tree and decorate it. Christmas gifts are usually exchanged on Christmas Eve. Finnish Christmas includes many traditional foods such as Christmas ham, rosolli, which is a beetroot salad, different casseroles, mince pies and ginger bread. At Christmas, Finns like to sing carols and spend time with family members and other loved ones.

 Christmas holidays at schools: Saturday 20.12.2025 – Tuesday 6.1.2026

 The opening hours of various services can be exceptional during Christmas and New Year.

• International Service Centre’s exceptional opening hours:
  • 23.12. open from 10AM to 12PM and 1PM to 3PM
  • 24.-26.12. closed
  • 31.12. open from 10AM to 12PM and 1PM to 2PM
  • 1.1.2026 closed
  • 6.1.2026 closed

• Shopping centre Goodman: Opening hours – Shopping Centre Goodman
• Buses: Exceptional schedules 2025 – Hämeenlinnan joukkoliikenne

Christmas Markets and Events

Christmas time in Hämeenlinna offers cosy Christmas markets and events for the whole family. You can enjoy Christmas atmosphere, handmade products, Christmas treats and many kinds of activities.

Christmas Markets and Events 2025 – Hämeenlinna

Christmas Concerts

Hämeenlinna churches and concert halls offer many Christmas concerts. You can hear well-known Christmas songs and famous performers. The concerts help people feel the peaceful Christmas spirit.

Christmas Concerts in Hämeenlinna 2025

Christmas at Palander House

29 November 2025 – 6 January 2026

The museum shows how people prepared for Christmas 100 years ago. Visitors can see old Christmas gifts, decorations and festive food. Christmas music also creates a warm atmosphere.

Christmas at Palander House – Hämeenlinna City Museum

Festive Lighting of Häme Castle

6–21 December 2025

• 8–14 Dec: Theme lighting “The Boy Who Looked at the Treetops”. Local 3rd grade pupils design light themes that change daily. (The theme comes from a children’s choir concert held every year in Hämeenlinna.)

• 15–21 Dec: Häme Castle Christmas lighting

• 20 Dec: Special lighting during Tuomaan Markkinat

The lighting can be viewed for free near Häme Castle.

Häme Castle is lit in honour of Sibelius’ 160th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Tuomaan Markkinat

Tuomaan Markkinat

20 December 2025

More than 50 sellers offer their products. There is a lot of Christmas activities: crafts, guided tours, Christmas songs and pony rides. Café Kruununleipomo serves Christmas lunch and other treats.

Tuomaan Markkinat 2025

The full Christmas time programme can be found at hameenlinna.fi:

 Christmas magic in Hämeenlinna